With bright smiles and proud supporters gathered around, members of the Mountainside Christian Academy class of 2015 reflected last weekend on their accomplishments of the past four years and their hopes for the future.

Memories seemed to flood through the eyes of graduates, family members and educators as the school's three honored students strode confidently down the aisle of the Mountainside chapel. The school marked its 38th commencement with the ceremony held June 13.

Salutatorian Abigail Rider was the first of two featured student speakers. “We are crossing the chasm from dependents to independents. It is up to us to decide what identity to claim,” she said.

Rider shared how she has personally gained identity as a daughter, as a sister, and as a resident of Long Lake. She and other students also forged identity through various activities at the Schroon Lake school. But Rider said as they move on to a life beyond Mountainside, they will increasingly be shaped by personal choices they make in the wider world.

The teenager acknowledged that graduates may struggle with uncertainties. But Rider, who cited several passages from the Bible during her remarks, encouraged classmates and the larger crowd to boldly confront challenges. Rider challenged them to continue to develop their faith. “So press on, keep the faith, remember who you are in Christ and let him define you."

Valedictorian Melissa Paris' address touched on similar themes of how faith will serve as a bedrock during times of uncertainty. A highlight of her speech was when she lightheartedly talked about how students showed perseverance through enduring numerous shifts in their classrooms and administration changes. Those remarks brought chuckles from the crowd.

But as she wrapped up her remarks, Paris reiterated that Christian scriptures should continue to inform students far beyond their days at Mountainside. ”The Gospel is constant, unchanging, and should impact every part of our lives,” Paris said.

Bill Smith, an official with Word of Life Fellowship, also attended the ceremony to congratulate the class of 2015 on behalf of the nearby faith community. Smith presented the students with Bibles and expressed confidence that each one of them will make valuable contributions to their communities.

“We all know without a shadow of a doubt that God has a wonderful and perfect plan for your lives and we can’t wait to see what that is,” Smith said.